"There are a lot of people you see sitting in the pews at church and you never ask them their name," said Father John Sullivan of St. Patrick's Church's at their annual Western Barbecue Sunday afternoon. "Events like this allow them to have a meal together and build up parish life."

Sullivan said the event, which saw Southern-style cooking mixed with some fun things for the kids, helped them raise funds for the church, as well.

There was a bouncy house, a dunk tank, and fishing (with fake fish in a kiddie pool) for some of the youngsters, as well as several games. For the adults, there was a raffle/auction that helped with the fundraising efforts.

"The line was out the door . . . or out of the parking lot," said parish member and volunteer Joan Powilatis.

Powilatis said this was the 14th annual barbecue, but that this was the first one they'd ever done after Labor Day.

"With everything else going on, like the Summer of Celebration and the (Cape Cod) Canal anniversary, we did it after," she said.

"Everything went well," said volunteer cook Kevin Bugg. "We had a few minor malfunctions, but we made it all work."

"Everyone's been happy," added Head Cook Gary Butterworth.

Butterworth and company treated guests to a variety of Southern dishes, such as barbecue chicken, ribs, and more.

Sullivan said the event is held not only to get existing parishioners familiar with each other, but to attract new members as well.

"We want to let people know that we're here and what we're about," he said.